GOC’S 2018 ELECTION EYE: Attorney General Xavier Becerra

Many Americans are still reeling from the election mayhem of 2016, but GOC has our waders on and are more than ready for the murky waters of 2018. This is the first edition in a series that will run throughout the year where we will feature those who deserve your votes – and those who don’t.

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra

First up is Attorney General Xavier Becerra, who was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown once Kamala Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate. Not one to miss an opportunity to stick it to the 2nd Amendment community, Brown’s choice was no surprise to GOC, given Becerra’s vast liberal credentials.

GOC immediately sent the new AG a congratulatory letter – and made some requests on behalf of the 2nd Amendment community. Even though his voting record clearly exposed his negative ideology on guns, we “hoped” he would treat the issue with an even-handed objectivity. It is not irrational to expect someone in that position to conduct business with those whom there are agreements and disagreements with decency and respect. Let’s take a look and see how he has fared thus far:

We asked that he avoid issuing regulations that will impact millions of individuals at a time when there is little chance the public will be engaged. We said, “If you want zero public comment and a process that screams lack of transparency, then follow the actions of Kamala Harris and make your “go-to” release dates on actual holidays…”.

Becerra chose the path taken by his predecessor, and fully engaged in this baloney: The day before Thanksgiving, DOJ announced new assault weapons regulations.

We asked that he not waste time and the state’s money by going after people who serve no threat to those of us who live in the Golden State. We asked that he focus his energy on those who are a danger to Californians in order to fulfill the AG’s motto of safeguarding the “public from violent criminals, preserving California’s spectacular natural resources, enforcing civil rights laws, and helping victims of identity theft, mortgage-related fraud, illegal business practices, and other consumer crimes….”

Becerra decided, however, a full-court anti-gun press was the right path, and challenged a court ruling by Judge Roger Benitez that the ban on the possession of large capacity magazines was an unconstitutional violation of the 2nd Amendment, due process and a government taking. Judge Benitez ordered a stay, preventing the law from going into effect, but Becerra appealed Judge Benitez’ ruling to the 9th Circuit Court asking for it to be overturned.

We asked him to disclose a complete accounting of Dealer Record of Sale (DROS) funds. For years, DROS monies have been used to fund activities other than registration and background checks. The DOJ has opposed repeated requests for the State to audit the funds; it is only reasonable that we are assured these monies are utilized for their original, intended purpose.

Becerra has taken zero action on this.

We asked him to clean up the Department’s records. To reform, refine and maintain well-organized and reliable databases that serve all Californians – whether gun owning or not. We asked that even if he disagrees with the 2nd Amendment to acknowledge multiple millions of Californians own firearms, and that he respect the rights of the law abiding.

Nothing but crickets.

And when it comes to ammo registration, we know the Department has been less than forthcoming about pretty much everything. Confusion is the order of the day as there are many questions that have yet to be answered – which could put many, many lawful citizens crosswise with the law. This alone is reason enough to boot Becerra from office – as well as anyone who shares his particular management style or political philosophy.

Put simply, Becerra is an anti-gun duck – if it walks like one, and talks like one, the likelihood is that it is a duck. Or Kamala Harris in a 3-piece suit.

Just because it may be an uphill battle for a pro-gun candidate to win over the hearts and minds of left-leaning California, doesn’t mean GOC isn’t going to try. In future editions of GOC’s Election Eye, we’ll tell you more aboutAttorney General candidate Judge Steven Bailey, who has been endorsed by Gun Owners of California Campaign Committee. Stay tuned.

The only problem with waiting to back a candidate in Ca. is that we are likely to wind up with two democrats in the general election (and no republican/pro gun rights conservative), since only the top two vote earners make it to the final race. We need to get behind someone faster than that.